by Office Manager | Mar 13, 2023 | Events, Jobs, Membership, PCED Office, Workforce
The Paulding/Defiance County Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) office hosted a recent business workshop for Paulding County businesses. The event was facilitated by the Paulding County Economic Development (PCED) at the Paulding Eagles community room.
The event was intended to educate business owners on services, tax credits and reimbursement programs available to employers through OMJ and Job & Family Services offices.
Tiffany Goings, Workforce Supervisor for Ohio Means Jobs, opened the meeting and presented OMJ’s Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) and On-The-Job (OTJ) Training reimbursement programs.
The IWT program is for employers interested in upskilling or training an employee for a different skill. OMJ will provide reimbursement for 50% of the training cost. To be eligible, the employee must be full-time and employed for at least six months.
The OTJ program is for potential candidates an employee would want to bring onto their workforce. Before an employee goes through the onboarding process, they’ll meet with the OMJ career coach team to determine their eligibility, and if they are eligible, they can receive 50% of their hourly wage, up to $13,000 or six months, whichever comes first; meaning an employer can put $13,000 back into their business to train and bring on a new hire.
OMJ also offers pre-hire assessments, drug screens, background checks, job postings on their ohiomeansjobs.com website, and services to post to social media. All of these services are available at no cost to businesses.
Greg Warren, Ohio Means Jobs Program Administrator, demonstrated how to navigate the OMJ website, i.e. employers posting their job listings, establishing metrics and guidelines for resume mining to find the ideal candidate, and managing their online accounts.
Presenter B.J. Knutson, Program Administrator for the Office of Workforce Development, presented the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), a federal tax program for employers who hire eligible individuals from defined targeted groups, many of which have barriers to employment. “There is no cap on the amount of dollars that the IRS is offering,” explains Knutson. This program can also be used in conjunction with OTJ training and apprenticeship programs.”
Tech Cred was then presented and explained by Tori Atkinson, Executive Director of Workforce Development Client Services for Northwest State Community College. TechCred, a workforce training program, provides reimbursement dollars to Ohio companies that have W2 employees. Reimbursement is provided for qualified businesses when they train and upskill their workforce in short-term, technology-focused, industry-recognized credentials. Atkinson describes the program as “a win-win. Ohio is winning because your companies are winning as you train your individuals and upskill them.”
Since the start of the program in October 2018 and through 2022, over 2100 employers have applied for TechCred, equaling $24.3 million. 57,000 plus credentials have been awarded and funded through the program. “We have companies in our area that have applied [every round] since October of 2018. The application portal is currently open. The window opened on March 1, 2023, and closes at 3 p.m. on March 31, 2023. The next round will begin in May.
There are currently over 2000 credentials that are pre-approved on the list. “When the program launched, there were just over 400, and the only way to have credentials added to the pre-approval list is by employers. Training providers, universities, community colleges, don’t have the ability to request to have something added. This is completely an employer-driven system.” Participants were guided through a sign-up form for the Ohio program. For more information, to begin the application process, visit www.techcred.ohio.gov.
The meeting closed out with quick presentations from Ivy Tech, Ft. Wayne; Northwest State and Rhodes State Community Colleges as the shared how each could assist businesses in using the Tech Cred office.
by Office Manager | Mar 13, 2023 | Business Expansion, Community, Events, Jobs
Gardens of Paulding under new ownership
Lionstone Care, an assisted living facility and skilled nursing care management company, assumed ownership of Gardens of Paulding on January 1, 2023. Advertising Director Natasha McIntire, who has been with Gardens of Paulding for two years, says the new owners want members of the community to know Gardens is no longer operating under Paragon Management, and are taking major strides to change the narrative.
Facility Administrator Deb Sawyer, who has been at Gardens since March 2022, says she is “quite excited” about the takeover, saying that “Lionstone Care does seem to really, truly care.”
Several changes have occurred in recent months at the facility. Since October 2022, the facility added 11 nurses to its staff. Sawyer spoke highly of her staff and of the recruiting process saying, “If we need assistance, they [Lionstone] will help in the recruiting, but right now it’s basically at the facility level. We are extremely lucky in the fact that we have done some major recruiting ourselves.”
Another change implemented by Lionstone, that facility employees appreciate and benefit from, is taking the admission processes out of the hands of facility employees. This has allowed the staff to focus on the needs and preparations of incoming residents. “That seems to be a thing with this company; they don’t want us to have to be on conference calls or doing tons of paperwork. Let’s be out. Let’s be with the residents.”
Sawyer is committed to her work and to the lives of her residents and has lived in Paulding her whole life. “This building is very special to me, I want to see it succeed. I want us to be the place that, if needed, it’s where you want to come, especially if you’re from Paulding. I want them to feel like, ‘I’m going to my hometown nursing home because I’m treated like family and they do care.’”
A couple of residents recently moved from a sister facility owned by the previous company and expressed to Sawyer how much they like the “home atmosphere,” saying her staff was “so nice and so sweet and caring,” which Sawyer attributes to living small-town life in Paulding.
Residents are also “very excited” now that they’re out of some of the covid restrictions. Eating out in the dining room, encouraging visitation and group activities has all returned. Volunteer programs also took a hit during covid, and Sawyer is pleased to report that they’re finally able to start bringing volunteers back.
“It’s a gorgeous building, very active with multiple activities,” says McIntire, who wants the Gardens to get more integrated into the community to increase their presence.
There will be an Open House with light refreshments at the Gardens of Paulding on Thursday, March 23 from 5 – 7 p.m. The management team will be there to meet, introduce, give tours and answer any questions.
The Gardens of Paulding is located at 199 Rd 103, Paulding, OH. For more information, call (419) 399-4940.
by Office Manager | Feb 8, 2023 | Community, Events, Jobs, PCED Office, Workforce
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release February 7, 2022
Career Day to be held April 4th 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
PAULDING, OH – The Paulding County Economic Development office is hosting the Annual Career Day on Tuesday, April 4th, from 8:00 am- 12:00 pm. The event is located at the Paulding County OSU Extension Building located at 503 Fairground Dr. Paulding, OH 45879. Public is welcome to attend. High School Students from Antwerp, Paulding, Wayne Trace and Vantage Career Center, will be bussed in to meet and learn more about the businesses, colleges and non-profits in attendance.
“Last year we had a great turnout with over 40 businesses attend, we are hoping for another great event and encourage business looking for help to contact us for more information about attending this year’s event.” noted Paulding County Economic Development Office Manager, Kristen Schilt.
You can find out more about Paulding County Economic Development events and programs online at www.pced.net; on Facebook at Paulding County Economic Development; or email Kristen Schilt, Office Manager at office@pced.net.
by Office Manager | Feb 1, 2023 | Jobs, PCED Office, Workforce
PAULDING COUNTY – The Paulding County Economic Development office and OhioMeansJobs Paulding County has announced a workshop for businesses to learn more about Ohio TechCred, job posting tools, work opportunity tax credits and more. This workshop will take place Wednesday, March 8 2023 from 8:30 -10:30 am at the Paulding Eagles located at 206 W Perry St.
“This workshop will be a great opportunity for employers to hear from and ask questions directly to the experts of these state and local programs. Our economic development office continue to share the program with local business of all sizes but this will help the business leaders understand how these programs can be used and actually benefit them.” stated Tim Copsey, Economic Development Director for Paulding County.
Please RSVP to Kristen Schilt, Office Manager by Wednesday March 1 at 419-399-8295 or email office@pced.net.
by Office Manager | Jan 12, 2023 | Jobs, PCED Office, Workforce
We are excited to announce a new opportunity to address the critical labor shortage and promote a sustainable talent pipeline for your business. Our school districts and career center are committed to providing the talent we need to support economic and business development in Paulding County.
To support student awareness of employment opportunities in our community, they have employers register with
YouScience.
YouScience offers an innovative, aptitude-based career guidance system that helps aligns students to career paths. Registration is free and takes only 5 minutes to complete:
Through this partnership, students will have access to the Employer Connections platform for the next TEN years. Students will be more engaged in career exploration if they see a variety of employers from our LOCAL community. Please take a few moments to add your company to the employer directory for our local students! If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the PCED Office at
office@pced.net or
Cayla O’leary at YouScience.
Cayla.oleary@youscience.com#PauldingCountyStrong
by Office Manager | Jun 17, 2022 | Community, Jobs, PCED Office
Paulding County Economic Development Press Release June 8, 2022
PAULDING COUNTY, OH – Paulding County will host its first “Teacher Boot Camp” event this summer. Ten teachers from around the county have signed up to learn more about Paulding County and the exciting businesses and opportunities that exist within the county.
This collaboration project has taken center stage here during fair week in Paulding County. Western Buckeye Educational Service Center (WBESC), Ashland University and the Paulding County Economic Development office have partnered to offer teachers the chance to get out and tour manufacturing, healthcare and agriculture facilities around the county. This will allow the teachers the opportunity to see how business has changed over the years and learn first-hand, what students graduating from the county schools each year, might find behind the business building walls they pass by every day.
“The hope is that these teachers understand that the manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare business world today isn’t like it was in the 1970’s, 80’s or even in 2010. You can go into these facilities now, put in a good hard day of work, and still come out clean. Technology has made a huge difference in business today and we want to be sure we promote that within our county,” explained county Economic Development Director Tim Copsey. “We want to be sure those who spend the majority of time with our county students, from grades K thru 12, see and understand this going forward. We couldn’t be more excited to host this program with these committed teachers.”
Once the teachers complete their week of participation, they will be required to develop a presentation and present in front of the fellow teachers and a member of WBESC and Ashland University for a grade. A passing grade will allow them continuing education units (CEU’s) to meet their education criteria.
The teachers this year will tour facilities at: Paulding County Opportunity Center, new Antwerp Local School Innovation Center, Paragon Tempered Glass, Paulding County Hospital, Wayne Trace Local School Robotics introduction and demonstration, Mansfield Welding, Robert’s Manufacturing, Vantage Career Center, and the new Mercer Landmark facility. In addition, there will be presentations from WBESC Superintendent Tom Taylor, Dr. James Powell with Ashland University, County Commissioner Roy Klopfenstein, OSU Extension FSC Educator Casey Bishop, First Financial Bank, Area Foundation Director Lisa McClure, United Way Director Lora Lyons, Economic Development Director Tim Copsey, Pioneer Lines, Sheriff Jason Landers, Cooper Farms, Ohio Small Business Development Consultant Lisa Beecher, State Bank, Northwest State Community College, Ohio Means Jobs and the Kenn Feld Group.
“We had more businesses volunteer to host and present than we had room to schedule them all. Hopefully this event is interesting enough that these teachers will go back to their respective schools and share their excitement and that leads right into another event next summer,” continued Copsey.
The camp event runs from June 13-16 and presentations on June 23. For questions about the boot camp or information on any of the tours and presentations call 419-399-8282.
